Category: CONCACAF Champions League

Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Toronto Blue Jays (19-22) and Baltimore Orioles (26-14) clash in a Wednesday matinee as they close out their 3-game AL East series in Charm City. The opening pitch at Oriole Park at Camden Yards is slated for 12:35 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Orioles odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Blue Jays lead 1-0

Toronto took Monday’s series opener 3-2 in 10 innings. Tuesday’s scheduled game was rained out and has been rescheduled for July 29.

A Baltimore batting attack ranked 4th in MLB with 5 runs per game (powered by a robust .438 slugging percentage) has cooled of late. The Orioles have posted a .mere .690 OPS over their last 12 games.

Blue Jays at Orioles projected starters

TBD vs. RHP Kyle Bradish

RHP Chris Bassitt (Tuesday’s scheduled starter) and LHP Yusei Kikuchi (Wednesday’s originally scheduled starter) are the likely options for Toronto.

  • Bassitt (3-5, 5.06 ERA) would be making his 9th start. He has notched a 1.55 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 42 2/3 IP.
  • Kikuchi (2-3, 2.64 ERA) would be lined up for his 9th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 47 2/3 IP.

Bradish (0-0, 1.86 ERA) makes his 3rd start after missing all of April with an elbow injury. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 13.0 K/9 in 9 2/3 IP.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K in 7-6 win at Washington Nationals Wednesday
  • Career vs. Blue Jays: 1-3, 5.25 ERA (36 IP, 21 ER), 40 H, 11 BB, 26 K in 7 starts

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Blue Jays at Orioles odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:44 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Blue Jays +104 (bet $104 to win $100) | Orioles -122 (bet $100 to win $122)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays -1.5 (+172) | Orioles +1.5 (-210)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -122 | U: +100)

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Blue Jays at Orioles picks and predictions

Prediction

Orioles 4, Blue Jays 3

Moneyline

There is some overall fade to Toronto despite the club being under .500. The Orioles, not having lost 2 in a row since April 12-13, are a would-be lean.

Bradish on the bump gives a Baltimore play an added kick. The now-27-year-old clocked a 2.23 ERA at home last season.

Bassitt (or Kikuchi) is backed by a Blue Jays bullpen that has yielded much loud contact on the way to a bloated 5.04 ERA.

BACK BALTIMORE (-122).

Run line/Against the spread

This match-up has an Under lean, and that’s the strongest play in the game. Figure the Orioles as a would-be lean but not a great price here. PASS.

Over/Under

The Under is 5-1 across the last 6 series meetings and 8-2 in the last 10.

Bassitt, Bradish, and bullpens — fresh ones after an off-day reset — make for an Under lean in this one.

BET THE UNDER 7.5 (+100).

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Monterrey vs. Inter Miami CF odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Monterrey vs. Inter Miami CF odds and lines, with expert soccer picks, predictions and best bets.

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Monterrey welcomes Inter Miami for the 2nd leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal Wednesday. Kickoff from Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico is set for 10:30 p.m. ET. Below, we preview FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Monterrey vs. Inter Miami odds, and make our best expert soccer picks and predictions.

Monterrey won 2-1 in the first leg, which was played in Fort Lauderdale April 3. Inter ended with just 8 shots on 2 on frame which didn’t compare well to Monterrey’s 21 and 8. F Lionel Messi did not play with a hamstring injury. He returned to MLS action this past week and is expected to start Wednesday.

Monterrey lost 2-1 on the road to Cruz Azul Saturday, and it has lost 2 straight Liga MX matches.

Inter drew the Colorado Rapids 2-2 Saturday and has drawn 2 straight MLS matches. Inter sits 3rd in the Eastern Conference in the MLS, while Monterrey is 3rd in the Liga MX’s Clausura.

World class soccer coverage all in one place: Get ESPN+

Monterrey vs. Inter Miami CF odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:34 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Monterrey +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Inter Miami +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Draw +260
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -174 | U: +124)

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Monterrey vs. Inter Miami CF picks and predictions

Prediction

Inter Miami 2, Monterrey 1

Moneyline (ML)

BET INTER MIAMI (+210).

It is hard to win on the road, but with the Monterrey coach calling one of the best players to ever play the sport a “possessed drawf,” there could be some extra motivation from Messi. Inter plays far better with Messi on the pitch, and that was even seen Saturday when he subbed on. Messi has tallied 4 goals in 4 MLS games, and Miami ended its game Saturday with 10 more shots.

While Monterrey has been among the better Liga MX sides, it has struggled recently. It did add F Brandon Vazquez from FC Cincinnati, but it doesn’t have a player with 10 or more goals, so its lack of star power could create issues against a team captained by Messi and F Luis Suarez.

Messi and Inter are going to come in with a chip on their shoulder, and given how they play with Messi, INTER MIAMI (+210) is worth a play.

Over/Under (O/U)

LEAN OVER 2.5 (-174).

The pace and the chances created make this a good value, but the odds aren’t quite justifiable for a full-unit play. Monterrey notched 21 shots while Inter totaled just 8.

Miami, as noted, should get a boost from the presence of Messi, and the offense should click early and often. Inter has 10 goals in the 4 MLS games Messi has played.

Monterrey has scored 2 or more goals in 4 of its last 7 games as well.

Both offenses have proven themselves, and they should continue to. Take OVER 2.5 (-174) for a small unit.

Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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RB Leipzig vs. Manchester City odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s RB Leipzig vs. Manchester City odds and lines, with Champions League expert picks, predictions and best bets.

RB Leipzig (1 win, 0 draws, 0 losses) welcomes Manchester City (1-0-0) to Red Bull Arena Leipzig Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the RB Leipzig vs. Manchester City odds, and make our best Champions League bets, picks and predictions.

Manchester City beat Crvena zvezda 3-1 in the 1st matchday of the UEFA Champions League. City had 37 shots and 16 on frame which compared favorably to Crvena zvezda’s 3 and 2. City should get a tougher test Wednesday. They are 6-0-1 in EPL, the top English league, and are 3-0-1 on the road. City is led by star F Erling Haaland, who has 8 goals in 7 matches. City was the Champions League last season.

RB Leipzig sits 5th in the Bundesliga, the top German league. It is 4-1-1 on the season and 2-1-0 at home. It has scored 16 goals (2.67 per game) while allowing 6 (1 per game). RB Leipzig is led by F Lois Openda, who has 4 goals in 6 matches. Leipzig beat the Young Boys 3-1 on the road to open Champions League play. It ended with 2.6 expected goals to Young Boys’ 0.5.

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RB Leipzig vs. Manchester City odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:27 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: RB Leipzig  +333 (bet $100 to win $333) | Manchester City -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Draw +300 (bet $100 to win $300)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -160 | U: +115)

World class soccer coverage all in one place: Get ESPN+

RB Leipzig vs. Manchester City picks and predictions

Prediction

Manchester City 1, RB Leipzig 1

Moneyline (ML)

SPRINKLE DRAW (+300).

RB Leipzig crushed Young Boys in its opener and has been strong at home. It drew Bayern Munich, one of the top teams in all of Europe 2-2 Saturday at home and has wins this season over Union Berlin 3-0 and Bayern Munich 3-0 (DFL-Supercup).

It has the capability of getting a draw here, just as it did in the Round of 16 against Man City last season. City has lost its last 2 matches, losing 1-0 in the EFL Cup to Newcastle Wednesday and 2-1 to the Wolves Saturday. It also has Arsenal on Saturday to prepare for.

City has played numerous games and could overlook this one. For the value, take DRAW (+300).

Over/Under (O/U)

BET UNDER 2.5 (+115).

In 3 of its last 5 games, Leipzig has held its opponent to 1.0 or fewer expected goals. It has had a strong defense this season, and while its offense has been electric, City has one of the best backlines in the EPL as well.

City has allowed multiple goals in just 1 of 11 games throughout all competitions this season. It has scored just 1 goal in its last 2 games though, so the offensive woes may start to come on for the ultra-talented City.

Back UNDER 2.5 (+115).

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Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter/X. Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

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Goodbye CONCACAF Champions League, hello CONCACAF Champions Cup

The competition has been revamped and rebranded ahead of the 2024 edition

The CONCACAF Champions League is no more, as the competition has been revamped and rebranded as the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

CONCACAF announced the sweeping changes to the competition on Tuesday, which will see the teams increase from 16 to 27 and the prize money for the champion increase to $5 million, more than five times the previous amount.

Starting with the 2024 edition, 22 teams will begin play in round one with five given a bye to the round of 16, with all ties taking place in a two-leg, home-and-away format.

In another change, the final will now be a single match rather than the home-and-away playoff that it had been previously.

The rebrand is actually a return to the competition’s previous name, as it was known as the CONCACAF Champions Cup from 1962 to 2008.

“Maintaining the word ‘Champions’ was crucial for us to highlight that this tournament is at the top of the club pyramid in CONCACAF,” said the confederation’s general secretary Philippe Moggio.

“We also feel that moving away from ‘Champions League’ allows us to develop a unique identity for our club competition. In returning to the original tournament name, we will have the opportunity to truly connect the last 61 years of Continental club football in CONCACAF with what is coming in the future.”

CONCACAF Champions Cup format

Credit: CONCACAF

Three teams will qualify through the new CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, while six will qualify through the new CONCACAF Central American Cup. Three will come from the newly expanded Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX.

The two leagues will qualify 11 teams between them through league and playoff play, while two teams will come from the Canadian Premier League.

Finally, the champions of the U.S. Open Cup and Canadian Championship will earn a spot.

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Club Leon wins CONCACAF Champions League as LAFC falls flat

Steve Cherundolo’s side was subpar in both legs of the final

Club Léon has won the CONCACAF Champions League, defeating a flat Los Angeles FC 1-0 in the second leg of the final to seal a 3-1 aggregate win.

One year after the Seattle Sounders won the CCL, breaking a 13-year run of Liga MX champions, the winner of the region’s premier club competition once again hails from the Mexican top flight.

It’s the first CCL title for Léon, which defeated LAFC 2-1 on Thursday at the Estadio Léon in a game Steve Cherundolo admitted his side was lucky to only lose by one goal.

LAFC anticipated a much improved display in the second leg at BMO Stadium on Sunday, but instead it was more of the same for the MLS champions.

Looking to shake things up, Cherundolo opted to try out a new formation in a rather big spot. The LAFC coach shifted away from his typical 4-3-3 in favor of a 5-3-2 setup.

LAFC fell behind after 20 minutes, and the 5-3-2 may have been at least partly to blame. Léon right back Iván Moreno found a ton of space on the right flank with Diego Palacios pushed way up the field in a wingback position.

Moreno’s cross was met by Lucas Di Yorio, who did not get ideal contact on his strike but still managed to beat John McCarthy.

Admitting his mistake, Cherundolo made two halftime subs and went back to the 4-3-3.

But LAFC was slow to respond with the kind of performance that was expected of them going into the final, failing to generate many chances that could trouble Léon goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota.

LAFC didn’t show any real urgency until the final 10 minutes, creating a number of chances that either ended with the wrong decision being made or a finish that wasn’t up to standard.

It was a disappointing end for LAFC, which won MLS Cup in 2022 and entered the CCL looking like one of the favorites. Léon was, however, the only Mexican team LAFC played in the knockout round, having previously defeated Costa Rican opposition and two MLS sides en route to the final.

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LAFC somehow escape CCL final first leg trailing Club Leon by just one goal

LAFC got away with one at Estadio Léon

Los Angeles FC will be thanking their lucky stars and John McCarthy after their harrowing first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final somehow only ended in a 2-1 loss.

Despite being favored more than any other MLS team ever has been in a CCL final, the truth was that Léon will be left baffled by how they let the MLS champions leave Estadio Léon without burying them before the second leg (Sunday June 4, 9:00 p.m. Eastern, FS1/TUDN) even kicked off.

A bright start for Léon could have been ruined by an early injury to Yairo Moreno, but seconds after substituting him, the home side capped off their early industry with an inch-perfect William Tesillo header following a corner kick.

The early goal didn’t so much serve as a wake-up call for LAFC as it did announce that Léon would be bossing this game. McCarthy was under the kind of intense pressure throughout the half that no LAFC goalkeeper has ever experienced in the club’s short history.

Still, it seemed they might hang on at 1-0 down, only for disaster to strike. Ryan Hollingshead was called for a handball in the box on another set piece, with VAR upholding the call. Ángel Mena did the rest, making perfect use of the final seconds of the half.

Léon left some big chances unfinished to boot, while LAFC’s improved second half still saw them settling for low-quality chances. There were none better than Mena’s chance at a brace in the 58th minute, which was saved by McCarthy in what proved to be a critical intervention.

McCarthy was doing everything he could, and that ended up being critical, as LAFC would change the tone of the tie entirely in the kind of dramatic, weird fashion that is a CCL hallmark.

First, Léon thought they’d scored a dagger of a third goal at the back post, only for Osvaldo Rodríguez to see his shoulder-goal called back for a foul after he crashed into Sergi Palencia in the process of scoring.

LAFC survived, and then had a stunner of their own at the other end. A break upfield that Léon were emphatic involved a foul on LAFC’s Denil Maldonado was allowed to carry on, and Mateusz Bogusz’s powerful low cross picked out MLS Golden Boot leader Dénis Bouanga for a finish with virtually the game’s final kick.

LAFC celebrated like they’d won the game, but the festivities came with a healthy dose of relief. The second leg will require much more if they’re to follow in the footsteps of the Seattle Sounders.

Cherundolo: ‘Scoreline is extremely lucky for us’

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo had no illusions about how the game went, leading off his post-game press conference by saying he was “very disappointed” in his side’s performance.

“[Bouanga’s] goal does give us a chance, but that goal alone does not help us win a final,” stated Cherundolo. “The performances of every individual out there, the performance of the group as a group, needs to be much, much improved. I think the scoreline is extremely lucky for us.”

That said, Cherundolo also noted that he knows his team can offer more, and that he expects them to bring their A-game on Sunday.

“We are experienced enough, smart enough to bounce back. We’re also fit enough to put in a much better performance on Sunday. And this team knows exactly what’s at stake,” said Cherundolo. “I am 100% positive [the] LAFC performance on Sunday will be much improved, and hopefully good enough to raise a trophy.”

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CONCACAF Champions League final: LAFC vs Club Leon schedule revealed

LAFC will aim to make it two straight CCL titles for MLS after a 14-year drought

CONCACAF has announced the schedule for its upcoming two-leg Champions League final between Los Angeles FC and Club León.

Both teams will be looking for their first CCL title after vanquishing domestic opponents in the semifinal. LAFC beat the Philadelphia Union 4-1 on aggregate in their semifinal tie, while León got past Tigres 4-3 on aggregate.

The winner of the final will represent CONCACAF in not one, but two FIFA Club World Cups: the 2023 edition in December, and the expanded 32-club tournament in the summer of 2025.

LAFC is looking to make it two straight CCL wins for MLS after the Seattle Sounders broke the league’s curse in 2022. It was the first time in the 14-year history of the competition that the winning team did not hail from Mexico.

Based on its superior results throughout this year’s tournament, LAFC will have home-field advantage in the final and will therefore host the second leg.

Television details will be forthcoming, with Fox holding the rights to the matches.

2023 CONCACAF Champions League final schedule

*Displayed in ET (local time) and home club listed first

Wednesday, May 31 – First Leg
Club León vs. Los Angeles FC – Estadio León — 10 p.m. (8 p.m.)

Sunday, June 4 – Second Leg
Los Angeles FC vs Club Leon – BMO Stadium — 9 p.m. (6 p.m.)

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LAFC shove Philadelphia Union aside, grab spot in CONCACAF Champions League final

It was a battle, and LAFC was more ready for the fight

LAFC has once again established their bona fides as MLS’s top dog.

A rematch of last year’s incredible 2022 MLS Cup saw the same winner, with LAFC beating a 10-man Philadelphia Union 3-0 on Tuesday to seal a 4-1 aggregate win in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals.

LAFC will go on to face either Tigres or Club León in the two-legged final, with dates and kickoff times yet to be announced. Tigres holds a 2-1 lead heading into Wednesday night’s second leg.

A physical battle throughout saw LAFC, normally seen as a possession-oriented team, opt to play on the break for long spells. That approach became much easier when they took an early lead thanks to Timothy Tillman. A 13th-minute LAFC corner saw Andre Blake do a madness to deny Ilie Sánchez, with the Jamaica No. 1 somehow clawing the ball off the line.

Sánchez was left with his head in his hands, but the Union never finished the job, and Tillman was able to smash the ball into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

The Union had their looks from set pieces, but either couldn’t find a finish or were turned back from fine work by John McCarthy, one of their chief tormentors at the 2022 MLS Cup final. At the other end, Blake denied Mateusz Bogusz’s curling effort with another top-drawer save towards the end of the half.

Mostly though, this seemed to be a game characterized by acrimony. Alejandro Bedoya was lucky not to see more than a yellow card for a second-minute tackle, and multiple heavy collisions were followed by jawing and the occasional shove.

With referee Drew Fischer having little option but to dole out yellow cards, someone was bound to get sent off. That fate ended up befalling Olivier Mbaizo, who clattered into Dénis Bouanga just before the hour mark and received his second yellow as a result.

The Union, who had the lion’s share of possession throughout the match, looked more measured playing 10-versus-11, but ultimately LAFC’s counter-punching posture put the contest to bed. The sequence had everything that makes them such a powerhouse: José Cifuentes battled through a tackle to find Carlos Vela, who instantly opened the field up with a glorious diagonal pass out to Kwadwo Opoku.

The young Ghanaian, who LAFC had the luxury of bringing off the bench, finished the chance with power and accuracy, leaving Blake no chance to pull off another miracle save.

Bouanga would go on to supply a 90th-minute strike as the Union were obliged to leave men forward, giving the Gabonese attacker plenty of space to add an exclamation point in front of a delighted crowd at BMO Stadium.

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MLS guaranteed a shot to defend CCL title after Union reach semifinal

Philadelphia set up an all-MLS semifinal against LAFC

It took 14 years for a MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League. Now, the league will have the chance to lift the trophy in back-to-back seasons.

The Philadelphia Union drew Liga MX side Atlas 2-2 in Mexico on Wednesday night, advancing to the semifinal with a 3-2 aggregate win.

That set up an all-MLS semifinal against LAFC, which easily won its all-MLS quarterfinal against the Vancouver Whitecaps by a 6-0 aggregate score.

Whichever team emerges from the rematch of last year’s epic MLS Cup will have the chance to make it two CCL wins in two years for MLS, after the Seattle Sounders made the breakthrough by defeating Pumas in last year’s final.

The winner between LAFC and the Union will likely be facing another Liga MX team in the final. Club León has already reached the other semifinal, while Tigres took a big step toward the last four with a 1-0 away win over Motagua in their quarterfinal first leg.

“The Champions League is a really special competition,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said after defeating Atlas.

“It’s the biggest trophy on our continent and we want to push and try and go for it. Let’s be honest, it’s been a competition that has been completely dominated by Liga MX. We finally broke through and Seattle had a win last year, and our hope this year is that an MLS team can lift that trophy. I’d prefer it be us than LAFC.”

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Aaron Long’s lifeless body is a better defender than most conscious players

The defender was nearly a corpse when he made an amazing first-half block

Good defenders can scramble over at the last minute to make a desperation block. Great defenders are a step ahead of the game, arriving at the perfect spot before the shot is even made.

Aaron Long may have vaulted into a category of his own on Wednesday night, as he managed to get injured and park his lifeless body exactly where a shot arrived several seconds later.

That allowed the LAFC defender to make the defensive play of the night (year?) in a CONCACAF Champions League match against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

With the game scoreless, Long went down injured early in a Vancouver attacking sequence. The ball eventually found its way to Javain Brown, who teed up an inviting first-time strike.

But there was Long, nearly a corpse, getting in front of the ball like any alive defender worth his salt is trained to do.

Long’s incredible anticipation set the stage for a second-half blitz by LAFC, who scored three goals to take a commanding 3-0 advantage into the second leg of the quarterfinal next week.

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